Local organizations join in on annual Seniors Week celebrations

For the past 31 years, the first week of June has been dedicated to celebrating the contributions of seniors in communities throughout Alberta. This year, the community of Wainwright joined in on the Seniors Week celebrations once again with some special events of their own, as well as the annual signing of the Seniors Week proclamation.

The Town of Wainwright and the M.D. of Wainwright kicked off Seniors Week on Monday, June 5, as Deputy Mayor Patrick Moroz and Reeve Bob Barss signed the Seniors Week proclamation at the Battle River Lodge.

Following the proclamation signing, Lodge residents and seniors in the community were invited to participate in an afternoon of food and entertainment at the Legion Hall, which was hosted by Wainwright Family and Community Services (FCS).

The Battle River Lodge, Points West Living and the Wainwright Auxiliary Hospital participate in their own individual celebrations throughout the week as well, including barbecues, tea parties, bake sales and a number of fun activities.

Battle River Lodge Activity Coordinator Donna Pratt says that although the seniors are celebrated on a regular basis at the Lodge, Seniors Week is always a good time to give the community an opportunity to recognize the work the seniors have put in over the years in order to make the town a better place.

“It’s important that we remember to say thank you to our seniors who came before us and set the foundations for what a great community we have. Seniors Week is a week where they can hold their heads up a little bit and say ‘I did this. I’m part of this community.’ I think they can take pride in that,” said Pratt.

“For FCS, Points West Living, long term care and us at the Battle River Lodge, it’s a time that we can really celebrate the people that we love to work with. We know how special they are and we can get them out into the community where they can see each other and have some entertainment and bond with the friends and family that they have here. We make a really big effort to attend everything that (local organizations) are putting on this week.”

More than 60 seniors attended the FCS Seniors Week celebration at the Legion on Monday, and local senior Betty Sherry from Edgerton said she was happy to make the trip to Wainwright to visit with her friends and enjoy the event.

“It just makes you feel worthwhile and appreciated, and we want to say thank you back to the community because they are thanking us with this treat. It’s wonderful. It’s somebody saying thank you for our support over the years,” said Sherry.

“I’m a single lady and I live out of town, so it’s nice to get together with people that are of the same age and mind to interact. I make a point of going to the things that go on this week especially.”

Like many local seniors, Sherry spends much of her time volunteering with a number of local organizations including the Wainwright Food Bank and the Edgerton Agricultural Society. FCS Seniors Coordinator Susan McCulley says that it’s important for the community to take time to thank the seniors for the volunteer work they continue to do, and she was happy to see so many of them come out to celebrate on Monday.

“The event went really well and I think everyone had a great time doing some visiting and dancing. It was great to see people come out,” said McCulley.

“I think that it’s important to recognize seniors and to acknowledge them for the contributions they’ve made to the community.”